Club Officers

A high-functioning club cannot run without a team of dedicated leaders. Executive Committee officers are elected by the members of the club for six-month terms. Our club officers for January 1 - June 30, 2021 are:

President and Mentorship Director: Alexander Denk, DTM

Alexander joined Toastmasters in 2009. An entrepreneur and businessman, Alexander is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) speaker with Toastmasters International, holding the highest honors. Professionally, he began his American film career by doubling and doing stunts for international action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has also been an award-winning top chef, earning a Master's Degree in nutrition and cooking.

As Club President, Alexander presides over Club meetings and the Executive Committee, guides the Club in carrying out its mission and insures that all Club activities are in accordance with Toastmasters International guidelines. He also attends and votes in District Business meetings. The president sets the tone for the entire club through preparation, conducting well-run meetings and providing leadership whenever required.

The President, along with the entire executive committee, shares the responsibilities to deliver a positive member experience, achieve goals, drive membership growth and look for future leaders.

Come to Alexander with any questions/concerns/comments about your individual Toastmasters goals, your Club experience, getting more involved or just to check in!

VP of Education: Yazmin Lope, IP1

Originally from Mexico, Yazmin moved to Los Angeles to follow her entrepreneurial spirit. In addition to being a certified Spanish interpreter, she is the founder and president of her company in the language industry. Yazmin joined Toastmasters to learn the art of public speaking, to improve her leadership skills and to capture new markets. 

As VP of Education, Yazmin’s role is to schedule members’ speeches and projects and serve as a resource for questions about education awards, speech contests and the mentor program. She is an important source of Toastmasters knowledge for all club members.

Come to Yazmin to schedule a speaking role, to gain a better understanding of the specific functionary roles, to get trained in the Pathways education program or if you are looking for a mentor.

VP of Public Relations: Sophia Heslov

Sophia Heslov graduated from Syracuse University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also completed her degree as a Business Minor focusing on Marketing and Strategy. As a true Los Angeles native, Sophia began her career at William Morris Endeavor Talent Agency in 2018 where she sits in the Non-Scripted Television department. Sophia joined Toastmasters 90210 in 2020 and at the beginning of 2021, she decided to take on her first leadership position as Vice President of Public Relations.

As VP of PR, Sophia’s job is to coordinate active public relations and publicity programs for the club. This includes managing the website, updating Facebook & Instagram and developing strategic relationships with other local organizations.

Come to Sophia to discuss press opportunities for the club, suggest guest speaker possibilities, field questions from news media or to offer suggestions about the website and/or our presence on social media channels.

VP of Membership: Catherine Cheng, ACB/CL

For the past 10 years, Catherine has worked for the movie studios by day and makes cookies, dumplings and other yummy creations for her catering business by night. She first joined Toastmasters 90210 in 2009. This is her first round as Vice President of Membership for 90210, after serving in many other leadership roles both at 90210 and other local clubs, including 2 terms each as President, VP of Membership and VP of Education.

As VP of Membership, Catherine’s job is to maintain a constant influx of new people to the club. This includes initiating contact with guests, actively recruiting new members and surmounting membership challenges when they occur.

Come to Catherine to learn more about joining the club and to receive a new member application.

Secretary: Yana Vlady, IP2

Yana joined Toastmasters in December 2019. Since January 2019, she has worked with Marcus & Millichap, specializing in multifamily properties. Before that, she worked in public accounting providing services in real estate tax compliance for five years. In December 2014, she graduated Magna Cum Laude in Accounting from California State University, Northridge. Since then, she has obtained her CPA and Real Estate Agent licenses.

As Secretary, Yana is responsible for maintaining all club records, managing club files, handling club correspondence and taking minutes at each club and executive committee meeting.

Come to Yana with updates to your membership information or changes to your Toastmasters designation.

Treasurer: Khadija Bennani-Smires

Khadija joined Toastmasters in 2020. She is a customer engagement and marketing specialist, who holds a Master degree in Strategic Management. Originally from Morocco, Khadija has lived 7 years in Canada, before moving to Los Angeles, and falling in love with the city. Thanks to her multicultural background, Khadija speaks fluently English, French, and Moroccan Arabic. She is a nature enthusiast, who is always ready for a hike, a salsa lesson, or for swimming in the ocean.

As Club Treasurer, Khadija manages the club's finances, which includes planning club expenses, preparing a budget, collecting and submitting membership-renewal dues to Toastmasters World Headquarters and filing necessary tax documents.

Come to Khadija as a new member to pay your membership dues and as a returning member to renew your biannual club dues.

Sergeant-at-Arms: Alex Artin

Alex Artin graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2018 with a degree in Film & Television Production. He was formally recognized and awarded for his creative leadership and interpersonal nature by the Lewis Carroll Society, and the USC Dean of Libraries. At Toastmasters 90210 Alex introduces the theme to fellow members and most welcomed guests at the start of every meeting.

As Sergeant-at-Arms, Alex is responsible for preparing the classroom prior to each meeting, opening and closing every meeting and escorting new members in and out of the classroom during new member inductions and speech contests.

Come to Alex for help in setting up your presentation, with questions regarding our meeting room or if you need a new name tag made.

Club Founder Ann Hastings, DTM, PID

Ann Hastings retired in the year 2000 after 40 years working in Corporate America. Her last position as the Law Department Administrator in a Fortune 500 company included the preparation of a $10M budget, purchasing equipment, Human Resources Administrator and managing a staff of 65 employees.

Ann served as an instructor for UCLA Extension working with young professionals, leading them through the fear of public speaking. She also sits on the Board of the HRD Management Company, a real estate enterprise with properties in California and Texas.

Ann joined Toastmasters International in January, 1991. She served as a member of the board of directors for Toastmasters International from 2005 – 2007. Ann is the founder of Toastmasters 90210. The club was chartered in December of 1999. We recently celebrated our 20th anniversary.

Her public speaking career encompasses training, coaching and presenting at various corporations and associations. These include Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Magic Johnson Enterprises, the Association of Legal Administrators, the Soroptimist Organization and the Girls Club of Los Angeles.

Ann has lived in West Los Angeles and Santa Monica for most of her life. She attended Marymount High School, the University of Southern California and Sawyers Business School. She also has a real estate license. Ann is a widow and has one adult son, Bradford.